In this article, we propose a new generalization for the notion of homogeneous functions. We show some properties and how it appears in some scenarios. Finally, we show how this generalization can be used in order to provide a new paradigm for decision-making theory calledconsistent influenced/disturbed decision making. In order to illustrate the applicability of this new paradigm, we provide a toy example.

In this study, the complete synchronization problem of coupled delayed Boolean networks (CDBNs) is investigated. The state delays and output delays may not be equal, and the state delay in each Boolean network may be different in the proposed CDBN model. Based on the semi-tensor product of matrices, a necessary and sufficient condition for the complete synchronization of CDBNs is obtained. Then, an efficient algorithm for solving the synchronization of CDBNs is provided. Finally, numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm.

Abstract Early prediction of school dropout is a serious problem in education, but it is not an easy issue to resolve. On the one hand, there are many factors that can influence student retention. On the other hand, the traditional classification approach used to solve this problem normally has to be implemented at the end of the course to gather maximum information in order to achieve the highest accuracy. In this paper, we propose a methodology and a specific classification algorithm to discover comprehensible prediction models of student dropout as soon as possible. We used data gathered from 419 high schools students in Mexico. We carried out several experiments to predict dropout at different steps of the course, to select the best indicators of dropout and to compare our proposed algorithm versus some classical and imbalanced well‐known classification algorithms. Results show that our algorithm was capable of predicting student dropout within the first 4–6 weeks of the course and trustworthy enough to be used in an early warning system.

Active Learning has become an important area of research owing to the increasing number of real-world problems which contain labelled and unlabelled examples at the same time. JCLAL is a Java Class Library for Active Learning which has an architecture that follows strong principles of object-oriented design. It is easy to use, and it allows the developers to adapt, modify and extend the framework according to their needs. The library offers a variety of active learning methods that have been proposed in the literature. The software is available under the GPL license.

This article shows our research oriented towards improving doctoral theses by publications.This process is justified by John Dewey's knowledge theory and various phases of Kilpatrick's work.After a theoretical foundation, the research work set the steps in a thesis by publications, which is both validated by members of the scientific community and created from the knowledge of the experience of the candidate in the field of study.Validation of the PhD thesis in this case is found by members of the scientific community in a research validation along publications.

This paper presents an adaptation of the Brousseau method.The concepts of didactic variations and interactions are introduced by using didactic and a-didactic situations.With the main aim of guaranteeing alumni improvement and evaluation processes, a case study application was development founded on a cloud architecture, which is also based in previous research, curricular organization and interaction processes within the class.

We propose a Global Unification Model of Studies where the subjects, which follow a same educational plan inside of a specific state or country, can be selected by students from any place inside of that state/country.This proposal increases the university's flexibility providing to the students the option of selecting subjects given for teachers of other universities.In addition we promote the unification of studies' plans to facilitate the subjects' selection and to step forward for a future global unification.

Traditional user interfaces are evolving toward “distributed” user interfaces according to the new technological advances, allowing one or more interaction elements distributed among many different platforms in order to support interaction with one or more users. In this new scenario, the Abstract User Interface (AUI) model has been reviewed and modified to include specific characteristics from the Distributed User Interface (DUI) point of view. This article proposes a new AUI that takes into account the possibility of distribution. Before presenting this new AUI model, the article introduces the definition of the DUI concept and its foundations using a formal notation. Together with the new AUI model, a double hierarchy of user interfaces and targets has been defined, so the type of distribution can be verified using the concept of finality introduced as an algorithm in this article. With this new algorithm it is possible to test whether a given DUI (multiple devices, multiple user interfaces) supports the user's goal in the system.